Saturday, June 30, 2007

I am organizing my pictures this morning, so I figure it's probably time I post some! I think I promised Boo's birthday pics back in April/May, so I will start with those first. Enjoy the plethora of photos!! :) I have loaded them to slide.com because it will automatically scroll through them for you.

The next is our vacation to Florida...

I hope you enjoyed the pictures! Have a blessed weekend! Jeremy preaches this Sunday! :)

Thursday, June 28, 2007

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15

It's time to jot down the things I am thankful for...and if you have been reading my blog the last few weeks, you will know I am thankful for:

My husband's return from Kenya! 17 days is just a long time! I can attest our love and marriage did not suffer, but persevered through this time and I just said this morning that I believe it catapulted us into a deeper love relationship. Awww...

Vacation! I enjoyed my 10 days off of work (including weekends) and really enjoyed being with Boo during that time. He rocks my world, even at 3. :)

Work! Well, sort of...I mean, I am glad I had a place to return to - it's steady income. :) I did, however, give my notice just yesterday!!!! For those keeping up, that was the Change Coming. All mommies should rejoice!I am going to work at our church preschool in August and Boo will be attending there as well. I am thrilled by the opportunity, but it will be sad leaving my current job. I gave a 6 week notice in an attempt to be able to hire and train someone.

Church! Our church is going through some bumps in the road right now, but I may have learned a very powerful lesson this past Sunday night (while sitting in a Business Conference) by watching our Pastor's Wife. I even called her yesterday to tell her what an impact she made on me. We chatted for a while and she gave me renewed hope and perspective about things. The scripture above was the rock I stood on - by letting the peace of Christ rule in my heart. Anything else, well, would just be uncivilized. I think that used to be a commercial.

Babies! My best friend, Jae, is being induced this morning to receive her third child. This pregnancy has not been as smooth as her others, but oh my gracious alive, I just can't wait to find out boy or girl!!! This was not the best day to leave my cell phone on the counter!! Although, gracious hubby is taking it with him, so he can give me the news!!! :)

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The fabulous girls at 5 Minutes for Mom are offering a July 4th Giveaway! I want in on all the action, and hope that you all will join in too! Just link back to them and comment on the giveaways you would like to be entered into.Happy 4th!--Karen

Monday, June 25, 2007

We are all back safe and sound! Boo and I actually returned last Thursday from Florida, but in my best attempt to have a week of vacation, I did certainly take a vaca from blogging. The funniest thing I found was I missed about two weeks of hearing from some people who were on vacation the week before me!! So, I have taken the last few days to catch up...although, I must admit, not completely.

Jeremy arrived from Kenya on Sunday afternoon. He had an incredible trip and came home with only one suitcase. :) That's a good thing. He had mostly gifts and so Boo and I had an enjoyable time looking at all the things he got there. I browsed his pictures last night and they are incredible. I have heard lots of stories and probably some that have just escaped his mind at the moment. He has equally heard all about the beach and Busch Gardens and Buccanneer Bay. Boo is just thrilled to pieces that his daddy is home!! I promise to post some pics of vacation and Kenya when I get a minute to sit down.

I am back to work tomorrow...feeling indifferent about it all really and anticipating much work. I will let you know how that is tomorrow. :)

Monday, June 18, 2007

Oh my blazes...it's h.o.t. here! Like I didn't expect that... :) Just checking in with you all and hoping to find you all well. It's nice here - the weather is good with the occasional shower, although, that's only rumor, since I haven't actaully seen one for myself. Close though.Father's Day was event-filled at Weeki Wachee/Buccaneer Bay with my family - fun was had by all and the Mermaid show proved itself well to my son. He loved the ice cold natural spring water and the kiddie pool. Rock On Buc Bay! It's been a long time, but it proved worthy. Today it's playdates and golfing for the little man and tomorrow...well, we head to the jungles of Africa - okay, not really, but at Busch Gardens, it will give him just a tad glimpse as to what his daddy is experiencing while there.Speaking of Jeremy - he made his way back to the village which is their headquarters - they have been traveling to different villages testing the water and they will begin their trek back to the main city tomrrow morning. We now talk in days as to when he will be home. Please pray for his trip back to be uneventful.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more? - Cyndi Morgan songGOOOOD Thursday Morning!! It's time to reflect, to look ahead, but most importantly be Thankful!

I have made it seven days! Last Thursday Jeremy left for his mission trip to Africa. He is well. I am well. Boo is well. WE MADE IT!

I am just now sleeping better. Took seven days, but I am falling asleep faster and having better rest. I still don't like it when Jeremy is gone. I moved to his side of the bed the other night...hm, maybe that's why I am sleeping better.

TWO MORE DAYS! I am thankful that in two days we leave for FLORIDA! I can't wait to see my dad, Boo's Papaw, and I can't tell who is more excited - Boo or Papaw.

I am thankful for doctors. I believe the Lord can lead you to them and I needed to hear the words I have heard the past few days. I need to make some changes...I have known that, but with blood pressure 140/100, it's more than just stress. Please pray as I gather my thoughts on which avenue to take.

I am thankful for friends, who despite the way I look or feel, they are there. I know that no matter what avenue the Lord has us down, they will be my support system. Thanks to all the people who have hosted me in their home or out to dinner with me in the past week - it has meant the world to me.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

"Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading." ~Oswald Chambers~

I wasn't sure which part of this quote hit me more - the part before the comma or the part after. I am taken with the part that says "knows the One". Those three words come with intimacy and sacrifice attached to them. The provide a solid base for placing my faith in Him - the One!

"Righteous will live by faith" Habakkuk 2:4

The Bible is pretty clear about those who live by faith and those who have little faith. Long ago when the Lord moved my heart to ministry, one of the things I said to the Lord was - Wherever. Wherever He sent me I would go. Wherever the wind blew my sail, I would pick up and be there. Some times I knew the next step...other times I didn't, but one thing is for sure, I never knew the end destination of that season or journey. I pressed on each time and with each task.

In my current situation, I know there is an end point of this season of working full time. There is a final date in my head and will be out in the open very soon. Then our season will change and our sails will head in a new direction...I don't know where it will lead and lots of waves may come, but I must remember to draw close to Him during this time - the author and perfector of my Faith! Had the Lord given me the whole picture and showed me that this is what my life would be filled with right now, I would have balked at the opportunity! I am learning to be thankful in the unseen and allowing Him to breathe life into my sail. Set the course, Oh Lord, I am waiting...

Friday, June 08, 2007

You know the one...the one that you kindly refer to 6 months from now as "that week." I know that's what this week will turn into for me. Although, it just occured to me that's a great header for a chapter in my book. Hm...see THE week can be curse or blessing, however you are choosing to view it.I currently am choosing to view THE week as a blessing...life happens, ministry does as well, and so, we press on.

Yesterday Jeremy left for Africa. I will tell you which country after he gets home. He's there. It's exciting and Boo and I got to take him to the airport. Big planes, a trip by Grandma's office (she was bored!) and two slushies later, we were home chillin' out. Now, Boo is incredible. One on one that kid is the total polar opposite of the kid who plays his mom and dad against each other every moment of every other day. It's night and day. He obeys. He talks nice. He loves on me. He takes a bath. He goes to bed on time. It's glorious. The same thing happens when I am out for a night or at meetings or the boys are having quality bonding time...he thrives on one on one time. So, I suffice to say, although Jeremy is gone for the next 16 days, I will be enjoying the little man in my house.

This is just the first part.

Wednesday my grandmother passed away. She was the wife of my grandfather, who passed away in February. My Mema was some woman. She told me the story of how they met all those years ago and it seemed she hadn't lost that love for my grandfather. She birthed my father and his three sisters, all three years apart from each other, and managed to run a fort (with a nanny) while my grandfather played professional baseball. A lot can be said of her, but none more valuable than how great her cooking was. In fact, the first thing I did when we arrived for my grandfather's memorial in February was go to the cabinet where I believed the recipe box was held. I was right on the first try and spent a few minutes just thumbing through it...remembering all the hours of the day she would spend in the kitchen. I said before that's where the heart of our family is. The last several years have been rough, as we watched this strong woman's body begin to deteriorate. My last incredible memory with her was in July of 2000. Jeremy and I took a trip to FL to meet my family, as he was about to head off to seminary. As we were getting ready to have our meal, my family asked Jeremy to pray. We all held hands and he prayed. After we said Amen, my Mema let go of my hand and walked to Jeremy and kissed him on the cheek. I got teary and my other family stood there in awe. It was the most incredible sight. I know she liked him...and that told all of us that she approved.Alzheimer's began to take it's toll on her and her manageable life began to slip away. My family placed her in a nursing care facility when my grandfather could not longer take care of her fully. It has been the saddest years watching those things take place, and in this moment, I will choose to not remember those times. I choose to remember her the way she was so many years ago and I hope that my cousins will be able to do the same. They aren't as old and didn't get the days to see her in her prime...but I tell you something, it doesn't matter if she wasn't always nice, she took care of her family the only way she knew how. I have already missed her for so long now. I hate that she doesn't know I married an incredible man and that I was so blessed to give her a great-grandson. I know she would have just ate him up!!All of the emotion of that is starting to get to me.I am having some issues with some things, so I made an appointment to see my doctor. As I arrive this morning, I am feeling joyful, which is nothing out of the ordinary, and the nurse proceeds to be tell me my blood pressure is 140/100. Now, I know what you are thinking...how in the world have I not had a heart attack. Yeah, I know. When she said those numbers, I was a little nervous too...so I finished my appt and went to the lab to give them my blood. I spoke to my friend, Alicia, and my mom before coming to work. I am really not stressed out....although, if you made it this far in my blog today, you might be second guessing that. But seriously, I don't feel stressed out. For real! I am not having anxiety or any feelings of being overly stressed. So, I am going to take it easy tonight and the weekend and see what the future holds. Please don't worry, just pray.That was the last part.Here I am in THE week. The week I will look back on and say, "whew, I made it through...look at all that God did." God's hand has never been more gracious than in the last 48 hours. "The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him..." (Exodus 15:2)In His Hands-Karen